In a first, Israeli women take test for kosher supervisor

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Nine women took the Chief Rabbinate’s exam to be kosher inspectors — the first time females were permitted to take the test.

The women took the exam Wednesday in a separate room from the 200 men taking the test at the International Convention Center in Jerusalem.

Allowing the women to take the test resolved a lawsuit filed last year with Israel’s Supreme Court by the Emunah organization, which runs a kosher supervision course for women. The court had asked the Chief Rabbinate to allow the course graduates to take the exam, Haaretz reported Thursday.

The Chief Rabbinate’s decision to allow women to take the exam was based on a ruling by Chief Rabbi David Lau made over the objections of Chief Rabbinate members.